Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone.  Please give thanks to the great men and women that are out there protecting our country.

I arrived safe and sound in Texas last Monday and have been going non-stop since I arrived.  We spent several days with some good friends from Dallas before heading off to Austin for my nephew's wedding.  It was a wonderful wedding last night and I have pictures to share as soon as I can download them.  The only problem was the HEAT!!  It was sooo hot - in the 90's.  Sweat was literally pouring down the groom's face during the ceremony (not to mention the guests) and his bride kept mopping his face!  It was rather funny.  When we returned to our motel at midnight last night, it was still 85 degrees!  We have another wedding to attend tomorrow night and it is also outside!  Maybe this heat will melt some pounds off me while I'm here.  Today we went to a Brunch for the newly married couple at my niece's home (still, hot!)  But when we arrived back in San Antonio around noon with my niece's two little boys, we all hit the pool and didn't come out until dinner time!!  They were out like a light when they hit the bed tonight.

Have a safe Memorial Day and I will try to post more details about the Carnaval wedding and pictures next week.

American Idol Finale Season 9

Can't believe the finale is here already!  When they're doing the talent search from city to city, it seems to take forever, but when they get to Hollywood ... bam, it goes so fast!

All season, I've been pulling for Crystal.  But tonight before watching the show, I was feeling like Lee would beat her out.  He has improved so much during the season.  Crystal started out strong and leveled out.  Whatever happens, it's going to be a tight race and I will be happy with either of them winning.

Round #1 - Contestant's Choice

Lee started out singing "The Boxer" a song he sang earlier in the season.  It was great and he got into it no matter what the judges said.

Crystal did the Janis Joplin classic, "Bobby McGee" which was my guess as to the song she'd do!!  I love it!!

Round 1 goes to Crystal I think.

Round #2 - Producer's Choice

Simon Fuller picked "Everybody Hurts.  I wasn't familiar with this song but I hate that he's doing another slow tempo song.

Crystal is singing "Black Velvet."  Not a favorite song of mine but she did a great job and it really showed her range. 

This might be a tie.

Round #3 - Their Song

This is different this year.  Usually this is a cheesy song that is written for whomever wins but not this time.  Lee will record "Beautiful Day" a current song by U2.  Lee's nerves are showing a bit tonight.  Simon had some really sweet words for Lee but I think he was basically telling him he is not the front runner tonight. 

Crystal sings "Up to the Mountain."  This is another one I'm not familiar with but Crystal knocks it out of the park and wears her emotions on her sleeves.  Randy summed it up nicely with “this is one of the greatest performances and at the perfect time on this show.”   Yep.  Pretty much.  This round goes to Crystal. 

Crystal just might be the next American Idol, guys.  Unfortunately, Lee just didn't have his "A" game on tonight.  Don't know if it was song choice or nerves that got to him. The Crystal we loved during the first half of the season made her comeback just in the nick of time, and I predict she’s the next American Idol.  Lee doesn't have anything to worry about - he will do well. They both have successful music careers ahead of them, but I think Crystal will be taking the trophy home tomorrow night.

Monday Mailers for May

I spent yesterday packing for my Texas trip.  I actually started packing on Saturday night but yesterday I took everything out of the suitcase I had packed and redid it .... about 4 times!!  I am trying to get around not having to pay $25 for my suitcase and $25 for Sonny's suitcase - that's $100 roundtrip!  Ridiculous!  I've also heard that they now charge you for the blanket and pillow on the plane.  When will this madness stop?  So I decided to combine our clothes and stuff in one large suitcase and we would each take a carry-on.  Good idea ... then it has to be under 50 pounds!  I was doing ok until I put the case of Cheerwine Ashley requested in the suitcase.  Oops .... about 65 pounds!  The dang suitcase itself empty weighs 10 pounds.  I need to buy a new lighter weight one.  Finally, I ended up leaving the Cheerwine out and hoping my mom can bring it next week.  If not, it would be cheaper to UPS it to her I think!  So, I am packed and ready to go today.  Just hoping for a smooth flight and not a repeat of the last time I flew to San Antonio.  That time when we landed, my sinuses went beserk.  I had the worst pain I have either had in my life in my gums and teeth.  I'm going to try taking a decongestant this a.m. before I board the plane.

So, my postings may be rather sporadic the next couple of weeks.  Don't know how much creative time I will have.  Some of our friends from Dallas are meeting us in San Antonio so we'll be busy with them.  We will drive to Austin Thursday am for the Rehearsal Luncheon and spend Thursday - Saturday in Austin.  Then we'll be go back to Ashley's for a day only to return to Georgetown (just past Austin) on Sunday for another wedding!  After that, Sonny will leave to return home on Tuesday and my mom will join me for another week.  Hopefully, the second week will be a little more relaxing - laying out by the pool and "chillin."

So, here are a couple of Monday Mailers to share with you:

This is one that I received.  I love the colorful flowers!  I thought the white lines were done with a scoring tool, but she said she used the DSP on page 15 of the Summer Mini.  Isn't it cool?

This is a card that I sent using the Black Magic Technique again.  I just love this technique!

Have a wonderful week!!

Historic Tour of Homes

A quick post before I hit the sack.  I'm so tired!  I was a docent today at the third annual Historic Mooresville Tour of Homes.  Check out the lovely homes HERE.   The home that I was in was the original home of Annie Rankin.  There are three houses side by side that were built by Annie's father, S.C. Rankin, the first President of the Bank of Mooresville. Mr. Rankin built the three homes for his daughters. Two of the Rankin sisters were married in a double wedding ceremony in 1902 and set up households at the same time in twin Queen Anne cottages on South Academy Street.   The housees have undergone extensive renovations.   While the other two sister's houses take you back in time, the Annie Rankin home has been "modernized" but still has kept the historic look.  A young couple live in the house now and have updated the kitchen in particular.

I finished the wedding cards that I will be taking to the weddings I am going to in Texas next week.  I CASE'd them from a card I saw at the Kernersville Quarterly.  The DSP is the Bride DSP on pg. 158 of the SU catalog which I brayered with black ink.  I used decorative punches in the comers. 

Rag Purse

Lookie what my sister made for me!!

Isn't it pretty?  We picked the fabric out when we were in Kernersville last month and she made it using her Big Shot ... and her sewing machine, of course. 

This is the cell phone holder that is hanging on the purse handle with a fabric flower.

I love it!!  Thanks, Marianne!

Sorry I've been MIA!

Sorry I've be MIA for a couple of days.  Yesterday I left the house at 9:30 AM and didn't return until 8:30 PM.  I started out playing Mahjong and was on a winning streak.  We only play with $2 but I wiped 2-3 people out of their $2!!  After that, I had a lot of errands to run all over town - Belks, WalMart, Dollar Store, Staples, Stampers Alley ....  I picked up the collage pictures (from THIS post)  from WalMart and they turned out great.  I am so pleased.  I ended up buying some super large binder clips which I am going to decorate and clip the pictures (8x10) in them.  I'll have to support them somehow from behind so they don't flop over.  After all my errands, I met Sonny and Marianne and her family at Fusion Bowl for dinner. Yumm!! Marianne and Greg had been in Asheville for a conference.

I went to Stampers Alley to see the BEE-U-TEE-FUL Northwoods Board that had just come in.  I will be doing a class on June 19.  We will make 6 of the cards.  Then, later in July or August, we'll do the other 6 cards.  You can view the cards HERE.  The Northwood cards are always so beautiful and glittery.  Call Stampers Alley (Mooresville) to sign up!!  If we get a full class, I can add another date.

Today was my Stamp Club.  We had a small group today - one gal was sick, another out of town and the third had Book Club earlier in the a.m. and couldn't make it.  But, we had fun anyway!!  We made two great cards and a tea-bag (chocolate squares) holder. 

This card is a great one for using up your scraps.  The stamp set is Circle Circus and the colors are Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana and Brocade Blue.

This is a great cheerful card!  We made that speckled background using Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp in Only Orange, Pink Passion, Turquoise and Old Olive.  We put Crystal Effects on the drink.  Just wish I was in Hawaii!!

This is one of the tea holders.  They had their choice of this one or another one.  This one has a belly band that slips off.

This is the inside.

This is the second tea bag holder.  It has a ribbon closure and uses the truck from Loads of Love.

inside

I got the directions for these little tea bag holders on Splitcoast. 

My Digital Studio & Idol

My nephew is getting married in a couple of weeks in Austin, Texas.  The wedding is to be outside with a Carnival Theme - complete with picture booths, corny dogs, cotton candy, etc.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures!  I am helping out my niece with the rehearsal lunch.  When Ashley was in Seattle a couple of weeks ago, she took a bunch of pictures at the Seattle Center of a carousel, hot dog stand, ticket booth, etc.  So, using My Digital Studio, I downloaded the pictures and a few others I found on the 'net.  Then I put a picture of Jack and Katrina on top of the whole collage and made it transparent so you could barely see them with the carnival things in the background.  I love using MDS and love what you can do with it.  I've sent these off to be printed and will pick them up tomorrow.  Can't wait to see them!  I'm having them done in 5" x 7".  I'm either going to find some clear frames for them at the Dollar Store or get some binder clips at an office supply store, decorate them and use them for a picture holder.

As of today, these are the items that are SOLD OUT and no longer available:

• 
  
  Sweet Pea Designer Series paper stack
• 
  
  On Board Heart Book
• 
  
  Sweet Pea stitched felt
• 
  
  Sage Shadow 12 x 12 card stock

I watched Idol tonight.  The contestants each sang two songs - one they chose and one chosen by the judges.

• 
  
  Casey was up first singing "It's All Right With Me" and it was only just all right with me.  His second song was "Daughters" chosen by Kara and Randy.  I like that song and he did it well, but was it worthy of making him a finalist?  I don't think so.
• 
  
  Crystal sang Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window" and did it well!  She was on the harmonica and I loved that.  Her second song was chose by Ellen, "Maybe I'm Amazed."  She is amazing!  She has not compromised herself once during this show.
• 
  
  Lee sang "Simple Man."  I loved it!  He's finally feeling comfortable on stage.  He could edge Crystal out!  Lee's second song, chosen by Simon, was "Hallelujah" and he knocked it out of the park!  He is in the contest to WIN.

I have been pulling for Crystal the whole season but Lee has started to sway me.  He has improved sooo much and has a great attitude.  He graciously accepts the judges criticism.  Sometimes I just get the feeling he wants it more than Crystal.  Anyway, I won't be disappointed in either one being the winner.

I am assuming Casey will be leaving Wednesday night and it will be down to Lee and Crystal.  What do you think???

June Birthdays = Retiring Colors!

I have been making birthday cards for a couple of days.  I have a bunch of friends having birthdays in June.  Since I will be out of town for a couple of weeks, I wanted to make them now and have them ready to pop in the mail.

This one uses the stamp set, Flight of the Butterfly and the Butterfly Punch.  I stamped them in white and used Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  I drew the antenna onto the cardstock.  The background is a retired butterfly wheel.  I used retiring Gable Green cardstock.

This card uses Party Hearty stamp set and a Cuttlebug Birthday Embossing Folder.  I used another retiring cardstock, Glorious Green.  I have a bunch of this color left - it's probably one of my least favorite colors.

This card uses Fifth Avenue Floral.  I stamped the flower in Versamark and embossed it clear.  Then I sponged Pink Pirouette ink over the flower.  The DSP is one I just got.  Don't know why I waited so long!  I love it.  It is the Bride carstock (pg 158).  The paper is white embossed on white.  When you brayer or sponge a color on it, it changes the paper.  This one I brayered in Pink Piroutte.. 

This card uses Inspired by Nature.  The grass and the flower are stamped in black and embossed clear.

This card uses some of the retiring purples - Orchid Opulence, Perfect Plum and Almost Amethyst.  The stamps are retired.

This card uses a stampset from the Summer Mini - Watercolor Trio.  I love, love, love this stamp!!  Again, I used retiring colors - Summer Sun and Only Orange.

If you are interested in ordering any of the Retiring Colors, you should do so ASAP!  Here is some of the info I have received from Stampin'  Up about these orders:

• 
  
  For re-inkers in retiring colors, as we run out, they will be placed on backorder status and those orders will be filled as quickly as we receive the product. We will continue to do this to the best of our ability through May, and then the re-inkers will be available while supplies last in June.
• 
  
  As for cardstock, we can't order significant quantities at this point in time without putting the production of the new colors in jeopardy.  We will be substituting textured paper for some of the smooth colors--including card stock in 8-1/2" x 11" as well as 12" x 12"--where the smooth is no longer available. These colors will go on backorder, and we will be filling as many of those as possible with textured card stock. Because the demand for each color varies, we are unable to provide a list of what colors of card stock will be substituted with textured, or at what point that will happen. However, if you receive a package of card stock that is textured instead of smooth, there will be a sticker on the package indicating that change.

I am anxious to watch Americal Idol tonight!  Who will the final two be???  My bet is Crystal and Lee.  I just heard that Chris Daughtery, a former idol star, and his wife are expecting twins!!

Sticky, Icky Humidity!

In the three summers we have lived here, we have been pretty lucky with the weather ... mainly the humidity.  It hasn't been as bad as what we remembered when we lived here some 30+ years ago.  But this summer may just be different.  Yesterday was sticky, icky!!  We went to Newton, a small town near us, for a street fair.  We had read about it so figured we'd give it a try.  We walked the whole downtown area in less than an hour and weren't too impressed!  There weren't many people there - hopefully, they had been there earlier or came later.  It's a lot of work to put something like that together - bands, craft booths, games, car show, etc. but we noticed a lot of empty spaces on the street like maybe they had some no-shows.  We didn't even eat any funnel cake!!!  We decided we'd rather go to a restaurant where we could sit down in air-conditioning to eat instead so we drove to Hickory for Mexican food.  Today we had storms but they didn't come until dinner time.  I bet tomorrow will be another sticky one.

I worked on a few cards today.  I have a lot of friends having birthdays in May so I made a couple of birthday cards.

This one uses the new set from the Summer Mini, Watercolor Trio.  I also am trying to use my retiring colors.  This one is Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Mellow Moss.

Another birthday card.  This one uses a retired set, Older & Wiser along with retiring cardstock, Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal.  The DSP is some I just off the Clearance Rack.

This car is for a class I am doing in June for a neighbor of my mom's church group.  There will probably be at least 20 ladies there so I needed to come up with a simple card.  I am going to give them the option of using one of the stamps from Pun Fun or Fun & Fast Notes.  For a simple card, it's kind of cute, don't you think?

Cotton Ketchie

We had a little excitement last night.  My mom has been having back pain for quite some time - or as she describes it, pain in her butt!  It's her sciatica and I know from past experiences how that feels!  She's gone to a chiropractor for almost a year, but the last time I took her to the doctor, he suggested she try Rehab instead.  So, for the past month or two that is what she has done.  She called me Tuesday night and was really hurting.  It got so bad yesterday that my sister took her to the doctor.  They sent her to the hospital - in an ambulance since she hurt too much to get in my sister's car.  They gave her an injection for pain and sent her home with a prescription for pain pills.  Today she was much better so let's hope she continues to feel ok. 

Tonight my two sisters, myself and my mom had dinner at the Prickley Pear Restaurant in Mooresville.  Marianne and I love their Prickley Pear Margaritas!  Yummm.  After a delicious dinner, we headed to the Mooresville Library to hear Cotton Ketchie speak.  Mr. Ketchie is a local artist who does some wonderful watercolors.  He also has started writing and has written 3 books.  Pulling out two of his books, "Memories of a Country Boy," and "A Country Boy's Education," Ketchie read passages from two of his books.  His purpose in writing the books and doing some of his art is to portray Mooresville the way HE remembes it and to preserve the town's heritage.  Excerpts Ketchie read included tales about his former neighbors; sleeping on a corn husk mattress with his siblings; his school, which had the greatest lunchroom cooks he knew and his family.  If you are in the area, I would suggest a visit to Landmark Galleries to look at his work.  Check out some of his paintings HERE. 

Scrapbooking Promotion

Take your scrapbooking to a whole new level with Stampin' Up! during National Scrapbooking Month from May 1-31. Choose one of the handpicked sets featured for National Scrapbooking Month or My Digital Studio™, and you can add a package of our Designer Brads to your order at no additional cost!

Watch THIS VIDEO of three quick scrapbook projects using stamps from this month's promotion.

Carry Over Items and New Digital Downloads

Were there items in the Holiday or Occassions Mini Catalog that you thought you missed and have been kicking yourself for since?  Guess what?  They might not be gone after all!  Stampin' Up! has carried over a selection of items and they are still available!  Check them out - CARRYOVER PRODUCTS.

 You can order these products any time of the day or night by visiting my on-line website HERE and clicking on Shop Now at the top of the page.

While you are there, also check out the NEW Digital downloads for My Digital Shop!  You can find them in the left column under Digital Crafting.  There is a great new designer series paper called Summertime Splendor that is fabulous!!

Deployment news and Raffle Prizes

Wow!  I had a busy day yesterday.  I was up pretty early (for me!) and headed to the Soup Kitchen to help prepare meals for those less fortunate.  It always makes me feel good to do that.  Somehow, I have gotten to be the "go-to gal" for meal preparations when I am there.  Jan, the head of our group is one of those cooks that is not very adventurous and follows a recipe to the "T".  I have convinced her it is ok to add a little of this and a little of that to make a recipe your own.  Today the dish that was chosen to prepare was a Hamburger Casserole.  They got it out of a book the Girl Scouts put together for a badge and presented to the Soup Kitchen.  The recipe called for mixing hamburger meat (already cooked) with Cream of Celery & Cheddar Cheese soups and  mixed veggies (ugh).  You also mix up Bisquick into a dough and put on the bottom of the casserole and then spread cheese over the top.  Well, we decided that sounded pretty bland.  So, I found a few green peppers and scallions that someone had donated and we chopped those up and added them.  The gals who were preparing it decided to put the biscuit mix on top instead of on the bottom.  Sounded good at the time!  Luckily, we fixed one pan first as a test model without the biscuit mix - we were going to add it after cooking the dish for a while.  Well, after about 20 minutes we took the pan out of the oven and it was really soupy!  I think the biscuit mix is supposed to absorb some of the liquid of the dish.   We already had 4-5 pans made up and ready to go in the oven (without the biscuit mix).  So, we got another pan and put the biscuit mix on the bottom and dumped the casserole on top.  That came out much better!  It tasted ok to me - probably not something I will make and serve at home but the patrons of the Soup Kitchen loved it and many came back for seconds and requested to take a plate home with them for dinner.  So, that is what counts!  We served about 100 people today.

After Soup Kitchen duty, I headed over to a Board Meeting that lasted way too long!  We had a lot to discuss with our big Horse Racing Fund Raiser coming up in early June.  Unfortunately, it is on June 8 which is when I will be returning from Texas so I will not be able to attend.  From the Board meeting, I met Sonny at Red Eye Bar and Grill in Mooresville for a late lunch/early dinner.  We had a couple of beers, some food and played a little trivia.

I have not shared publicly the news that my daughter is being deployed to Iraq - probably because I don't want to believe it is real until I have to.  We have known that it was probably going to happen for a couple of months now.  Well, this week, she finally got some specifics on the deployment.  As it stands now, she will be deploying with a unit out of Fort Hood.  She reports to them in mid-August for a mid-September deployment and will probably be gone 8-9 months.  She is scheduled for training at Fort Polk in Louisiana in June just after my mom and I leave her in Texas.   Although she is an Infectious Disease Pediatrition, she will act as a Brigade Surgeon with her unit.  I told her that sounded pretty impressive to me.  She told me she will be basically the unit's doc - treating the soldiers in her unit if they are sick or wounded.  Although if the injuries are severe, they will be sent to a CASH (which is today's equivalent to MASH.)  We hope that she will be able to spend a couple of weeks with us in July.   Several people have requested her address when   she is deployed.  When I know, I will let you know.  I will miss her terribly, but I am so proud of her and of her commitment.

Here more of the raffle prizes I made for my Newcomers's Horse Race Game Night.  I gave the items to the chairman today and the ladies really "oohed and aahed" over them.  Made me feel good!

This is a Flower Brooch that I made out of upholstery material with the Kiwi Kiss button in the center.

This is a box I made that holds cards.  I stamped the box with the butterfly from Flight of the Butterfly and the swirl in Priceless.  I scalloped the edges.

This is the top of the box - I just love the flower!  It matched the paper great.

The cards ar all made using Inspired by Nature and the Embosslet Butterly.

I really like how this gift came together.

American Idol Final FOUR

Four perform tonight ... individually and as a duet. It's movie night so we're paying tribute to the music that impacts the silver screen.  The mentor this week is the fabulous Jamie Foxx.

Lee has that dreaded #1 spot and sings Kiss from a Rose.  The judges didn't like it.  I think he could have made a better song choice but I just love Lee and love that song and thought he was ok!!

Mike was next with a song I wasn't familiar with, Will You Bhe There.  It's from the movie, Free Willie. ???  Huh?  The judges were mixed with their reviews.  I like Lee better.

Crystal and Lee did a duet, Falling Softly.  Oh ... they are so great!  All the judges thought that was the best moment all season!

Casey sings Mrs. Robinson from The Graduate.  Not so sure about this one - it may be time for him to go - pretty hair and all!  The judges - except for Simon - liked it.  Randy is asking why he chose that song, but this Kara/Mrs. Robinson thing is tacky. I’m annoyed.  But, in the end, I agree with Simon. “There have been some very strange song choices tonight, and that was one of them.”

Next is Crystal singing the theme from Caddyshack, I'm All Right.  Weird song choices tonight!  But she definitely made this song HER ... a little Janis Joplin style.  Ellen is right - her performance was Crystalized!!

Now Big Mike and Casey team up for their duet, Have You Ever Loved a Woman.  I’ll give Casey a star for the guitar and Mike a star for the vocal.  Great performance!  Ellen's comment was funny!  She's loved a woman before!

The duets were better than the performances tonight.  The chemistry between Crystal and Lee was super!!

I think Casey will be leaving us tonight.

Get them while you can!

If you want anything in any of the retiring colors - PLEASE - you need to order it NOW. The demand for these products has been up to 4 times higher than projected and items ARE selling out. While the company is doing their best to fulfill all orders, they have let us know there is a possibility that all orders might not be filled. The best way to ensure that you receive your items is to order NOW. In order to keep any orders from being held up, I am encouraging you to place your order on-line through my Demonstrator website - http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sharonm

(click on SHOP NOW - register and select me as your Demonstrator)

Ink refills and cardstock seem to be the most affected.

Mother's Day

I had a nice and relaxing Mother's Day.  I didn't even get dressed until after lunchtime!  It was so nice to just be lazy and do whatever I wanted to do!  Sonny offered to take me to the movies or anywhere else I wanted to go but I told him I was ok to just get caught up on some things in my craft room.  I made the cutest Top Note Purse and cards to go in it.  My Newcomer's group is having a Horse Racing Game Night in June for a money making project.  I always donate items to them for the event.

Isn't this the cutest?  I found this pattern through a search on Splitcoast.  I used Kraft paper and the Top Note die.  The handles and lining are some retired Designer Paper.  It reminds me of the Rag Purses that my sister makes.  I am putting the following cards with envelopes in the tote.

Simply Sent Kit

Lifelong Notes Simply Sent  -   item number 109868
Price: $16.99   (Previous Catalog Price: $42.95)


l Iove having handmade cards on hand so I can give them out at a moment’s notice. This kit contains the essentials for creating beautiful cards. And the designs are beautiful! It’s a great time-saver, as well—the card stock is prescored and precut. Once you've used up the cardstock, the ink and stamps will continue their usefulness for years to come. These kits are wonderful for beginners or anyone who wants to create several of the same card without spending a lot of time. Coordinates with: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, and More Mustard. 

■ Makes 10 cards, 5 each of 2 styles. Finished card size: 6-5/8"x 3-1/4"
Kit includes:
■ 6-piece die-cut stamp set
■ Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery Classic Stampin’ Spots
■ Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery Long Notes
■ Whisper White (3-1/2" x 6-3/4") envelopes
■ Circle self-adhesive die-cuts: 5" x 7-1/4" sheets (2)
■ Ribbon self-adhesive die-cuts: 5" x 7-1/4" sheets (3)
■ 2" chipboard circle designs: 5" x 7-1/4", .59 mil sheets (2)
■ Stampin' Dimensionals (100)

This kit and many other brand new items such as DSP, embellishments, rub-ons and chipboard products were added to the Clearance Rack last week.  At this price, you'll want to order not just for yourself, but also for gifts!

Clearance Rack merchandise is available only while supplies last, and only available through my shopping website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sharonm.  Hurry!!

Mojo Monday Challenge Card

I made this card for my mother for Mother's Day.  It is also a Mojo Monday Challenge card.  I have been so busy making cards for swaps, classes, etc. that it felt good to do my own thing!  I made the tulips using the wonderful Bird Punch.  Do you have that punch yet?  What are you waiting for??  There's so much you can do with it! 

We are going to my mom's house on Saturday evening. Sonny and Greg are going to cook out on the grill .... what, we don't know yet! Something easy without a lot of clean up! I'm thinking tin-foil dinners for each person. I remember making those when our kids were little at home and when we went camping. They were so good. I put a hamburger patty, potatoes, onions, and green pepper in the packs and added a little Worcestershire sauce. Yummm!!  My sister, Angela, is preparing the dessert.

SU Retiring Colors and a treat for you!

With the retiring colors going out, there has been a rush on ordering them. SU! is going to do their best to keep backorders down, but they also are running out of certain colors. They will be replacing (as needed) textured cardstock with the smooth paper. There will be no increase in price. As for the re-inkers, they will allow you to order replacements the month of May, but once June arrives they will only be available while supplies last!! Don't wait to place your order!! Contact me or go to my SU! website to place your order!!

I got to hear my grandson's little voice today.  My mom shared a book (think it came from Hallmark) that my son had sent her called "I Love You Grandma" for Mother's Day.  It is a recordable book.  They recorded Jayce reading the book to my mom.  It was so sweet - he sounded so grown up.  I haven't seen him in 2 years.  He is 3 1/2 now.  Just a long sad story but I have hope that one day things will change.

A friend sent me this and it struck a chord with me.  Hope you enjoy it.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.  
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says~~
"Oh Crap, She's up!" He just promised it would be worth it.
 
And a little chocolate for the tummy ... Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans - Small bites packed with flavor, these sophisticated sweets are perfect on their own as a snack or dropped into a cup of coffee.

INGREDIENTS
Espresso beans
8 oz. chocolate of your choice

INSTRUCTIONS

• Lay espresso beans (available at your grocery store) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Create a double boiler by boiling a pot of hot water and placing a heat-safe bowl on top. Or, use your microwave to melt chocolate of your choice— recommend dark for this treat.
• Using a large spoon with straining holes, dip beans into melted chocolate, letting excess drip back into the bowl before setting beans on baking sheet.
• Once all are fully coated, place sheet in refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.  

  

American Idol Results

At the beginning of the show, Ryan pulls Lee front and center.  Without a lot of hoopla, he reveals that Lee is SAFE.  No surprise there  - he was great Tuesday night.

Then he makes two groups - Crystal and Casey and Mike and Aaron.  My thoughts are that Crystal and Casey are the bottom two which would be correct in my opinion.  But, NO - it's Mike and Aaron.  What's going on?  Casey should be in the bottom two instead of either Mike or Aaron!!  For some reason, Big Mike is just not getting the votes. As it turns out, Aaron is going home.  He should hold his head up high - he has a great voice and should have a secure future.

I enjoyed hearing Harry Connick Jr. perform.  Don't think I ever noticed how lop-sided his mouth is!  He's funny though - he was really cutting up with the contestants and with Ellen!

So we're down to four!  Hard to believe - seems like the season just got started.  I'm still betting on Lee and Crystal in the final two.  The way Lee has been performing lately, he could just beat Crystal.  What do you think?

Check out the Clearance Rack!

How do you like the my new blog background?  This is one of the papers available for download on My Digital Studio!  I am hoping it will be in the new catalog this summer.

Stampin' Up has just put a bunch of new items on the CLEARANCE RACK!  Check it out in my right side bar.  You can order directly there and get the Preferred Price since you will be ordering through my demo site or you can e-mail or call me with your order.  There are a lot of  Designer Papers listed as well as Hodgepodge Hardware, ribbons, rub-ons, corduroy buttons, card kits, chipboard, wheels and a lot of other goodies!!  What a deal!

I have some more cards from the Quarterly to share with you.

Isn't this vintage look great?  This card uses the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and Elements of Style which iare both in the new Summer Mini Catalog.

Janie demonstrated making the Fabric Flowers without using a sewing machine or hot blue.  We put a cardstock circle between each layer and then threaded the prong of the Corduroy Button through all the layers.  Another great tip I discovered is to go to the Thrift Store (Goodwill, etc) and look for old skirts, capris, etc. for cheap and cut them up for fabric!!  If you can find some of those broom skirts or square dancing skirts, there would be a lot of material in them.  See you at Goodwill.

Isn't this adorable?  I'll probably be doing this one at my club meeting soon.  The elephant is made using punches - his ears are the Heart Punch!  How clever. 

Karen Culler guided us through a Zindorf card!  Isn't it gorgeous?  It also uses the Elements of Style stamp set from the Summer Mini.

Final Five ... American idol

We are down to 5 contestants. One more leaves tomorrow. Tonight they are singing songs from the Frank Sinatra songbook with piano backup and mentoring by Harry Connick Jr.  Oooh ... he's such a cutie and that N'Orleans accent ain't bad!!

• Aaron Kelly sings "Fly Me to the Moon"  He's got such a big voice for a little kid.  It wasn't bad but not his best.  He should be safe though even though he got the dreaded first spot.
• Casey James sings "Blue Skies"  Ooooh ... not good at all.  Probably his worst performance.  He could be in trouble tonight.
• Crystal Bowersox sings "Summer Wind"  Probably her worst performance too.  What's going on???  I thought Sinatra songs would be great!  She should be ok but just not the song I would have expected her to sing.  I would have liked to have heard her sing Chicago.
• Mike Lynche sings "The Way You Look Tonight"   So far, the best of the night!  He was comfortable on stage and sounded great.  I'm glad he got the save a few weeks ago.
• Lee DeWyze sings "That's Life"  Wow!!  Loved it! Best song choice of the night.   It will come down to a Lee / Crystal finale in my opinion.

We’re trying to find the next big pop star, and Sinatra’s tunes just aren’t conducive to the search.  The only one who made Sinatra current was Lee.

Bottom 2:  Aaron & Casey with Casey going home I think
Will Crystal be in the bottom 3????  Maybe!

New Blog Banner thanks to MDS!

As you can probably see from my new Blog Banner, I have been using My Digital Studio.  I decided today that I would send myself to "self taught school."  I created the banner following an on-line tutorial that I "googled."  Following it step-by-step made it very easy to do.  My next big undertaking was to edit it in my photo-editing software.  I have Paint Shop Pro by Corel which I purchased a couple of years ago.  I have never been able to figure out how to use it.  So, today, I have been playing with it and following a bunch of tutorials I found on Corel (don't ask me how many hours!!) until I was semi-comfortable with editing, cropping, etc.  The pictures in my blog banner are what inspired me to learn all this!  I took them a few weeks ago when I went to the Botanical Gardens and I wanted to incorporate them into my blog. 

While I was playing around with MDS, I created this card.  It uses some new paper that I was able to download last month called Spring Shades.  If you have MDS, you can also download this paper.  I hope that it will be in the new catalog this summer because it is really beautiful!

More Shoebox Shares

We did 16 cards at the Shoebox Swap so I have a few more to share with you.

Marianne and I spent the better part of tonight trying to narrow down our class selections for CK Convention.  It will be held August 13-14 in Charlotte.  This will be my fourth year to go and Marianne's third.  Last year, we got a hotel and our Florida friend, Sharon, joined us.  We are going to book a hotel again this year too - so much easier than driving to Charlotte!   I was hoping my daughter would join us this year but she scheduled another event for that weekend.  I keep trying to talk Margaret into coming but so far, no luck!  There are soooo many class offerings that it makes it hard to choose!  We are eligible for early registration which starts tomorrow afternoon.  We have finally narrowed our classes down to 3 or 4 on Friday and 3 on Saturday.  That should still give us a few hours to SHOP!!

This card was designed by Gayle who lives in Statesville.  I think I will be CASE-ing this one for my club.  All four panels are embossed with a Embossing Folder run through the Big Shot.  Then we used the sanding block to rough it up and make it show up a little better.  The "happy birthday" has a portion of the Medallion stamped on it.  So simple but so nice.

This sympathy card is also embossed - with the Fifth Avenue Floral Die this time.  The leaves are ovals that we scored down the center, folded them in half and ran them through the crimper (at an angle).  We cut the flower out - from Fifth Avenue Floral.

Another die cut card - this time using the Daisy Die .... one of my favorites!   It also uses the Little Leaves Sizzlit die and the Top Note.

This card uses A Beautiful Thing.  We stamped the flowers in Orchid Opulence and Apricot Appeal to get the mosaic effect.

Another favorite!  Again ... so simple but fun.  We used Circle Circus - punching out the circles with various round punches.  The sentiment is from Crazy for Cupcakes.

This was a "two-fer" designed by Lisa Tedder.  The card on the left (with the bird) is actually a bookmark - it has magnets inside.  So it can just fit over the larger card to be mailed and you have a card and a gift!

I'll be sharing the remainder of the shoebox cards tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day!